Fine boring dust produced by ambrosia beetles contains large numbers of fungal spores. Windblown boring dust could spread the disease long distances. (Photo by JB Friday)

ʻŌHIʻA ARE HAWAIʻI'S FOUNDATION

ʻŌhiʻa (Metrosideros polymorpha), the most abundant native tree in the state of Hawaiʻi, are dying from a new fungal disease. On Hawaiʻi Island, hundreds of thousands of ʻōhiʻa have already died from this fungus, called Ceratocystis. Healthy trees appear to die within a few days to a few weeks, which is how the disease came to be called “Rapid ʻŌhiʻa Death.” This disease has killed trees in almost all districts of Hawaiʻi Island and has the potential to kill ʻōhiʻa trees statewide.